Rank is a direct reflection of your standing and service with either the Free Peoples as your hero character or the armies of Angmar as a monster character. Both Monster Players and Free Peoples can earn up to 15 of the available ranks.

In order to gain ranks, you must defeat other players from the opposing army in battle. By doing so you will gain either Renown or Infamy points. The amount of points you gain per defeated enemy depends on your rank and rating versus their rank and rating. If you are not the only person who dealt damage to your target, you will gain a share of points dependent on the amount of damage contributed to the defeat. Points gained in a fellowship or raid are also determined by the number of players in the group.